Accounts of Painful Saddles

Fear of Cycling Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

According to a report by the Los Angeles Times on the relationship between bicycles and ED, several research studies have supported the warning issued by Irwin Goldstein (Doctor of Medical Science) in 1997.
According to a 1997 survey conducted by the American Urological Association in Boston, 4.2% of male cyclists suffered from medium to complete erectile dysfunction, as opposed to 1.1 % for runners.

In addition, women who frequently spent long hours riding bicycles experienced "diminished sexual pleasure" and as with men, they were reported to be at risk of lowered sexual function.
Furthermore, Steven M. Schrader, PhD, of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, stated that, "Existing saddles cause nerve entrapment (Nerves etc. are compressed by the surrounding tissue) and vascular occlusion, resulting in a noticeable reduction in blood flow to the penis and penile sensitivity."

Do thin saddles destroy men?

There were numerous complaints from bicycle police officers in America concerning painful bottoms as a result of cycling. Subsequently, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health measured the pressure exerted on the groin during actual cycling of police officers who spent long hours on bicycles. It was revealed that 202~375 grams of pressure was exerted per square centimeter.
It is known that 162 grams of pressure per square centimeter compromises blood flow to this area. It was concluded that people who ride bicycles for extended periods are continuously subjected to strong pressure which exceeds the threshold limit. It is therefore not surprising that this impedes the flow of blood.
In addition, it was also revealed in this survey that pressure applied to the groin area was largely related to the shape of the saddle. In particular, saddles used for sports (racing) bicycles (saddles which are hard, have narrow seats, and a thin-shaped nose) concentrate weight on the narrow point of the saddle. Subsequently, this inflicts enormous damage on the groin region.